With the cost of weddings soaring, couples are looking for ways to have a wonderful day without breaking the bank. Plus they’re looking for a more bespoke, individual approach, with intimate, personal touches being really important. So here are some ideas from other couples about eight things you don’t need at your wedding….
First of all …
I can’t emphasise too strongly, that your wedding has to be about you! How it reflects your personalities and your love story. Never mind what others may or may not think. And trust me, there will always be someone who will have an opinion about what you should or should not do! Once you’ve got the big items (venue, celebrant or church and your outfit) budgeted for, you will be in a good position to see where the rest of your wedding fund can be allocated. And for many couples, it’s the little details that add to the excitement and magic of the day.
So where to start …. It’s really easy to get swept up with all the fun, pretty, shiny stuff that is available. Think kids in a candy shop! So let’s look at the most popular items ….
The No-Nos…
Wedding guest book – Such a lovely way for your guests to record their good wishes for you to treasure for ever. The question is will it actually be used by your guests or will it end up by being a huge disappointment and waste of money?
Comment from brides: ‘The guest book was too much hassle for people to write in so only a handful of people wrote in it’ and ‘People are having way too much fun to write in a book’. Instead, you could make a wedding memory box to keep all your cards and other treasured bits in – groom’s buttonhole, dried sprigs from your flowers, hair flowers or comb, and so on.
Wedding Favours – When my daughter got married she insisted that they were ‘essential and expected’. My daughter-in-law’s view was that they are a waste of money. So what about those cute little goodies that guests can take away and treasure as mementos? All too often favours are not noticed, forgotten about, left behind ….. wasted! Definitely something that you don’t need to consider and that your guests won’t miss!
Flip flops – Seriously? If the ladies want to change their fancy shoes for something comfy to dance in, they can bring their own!
Personalised coat hangers – Ok, so that’s a nice thought for special guests and your bridal party who are staying overnight at your hotel …. But the hotel also provides hangers, so yours could get forgotten. This from a bride: ‘Also hangers.. I still have a few in my wardrobe that people left behind.’ Nope!
The ‘Maybe , may be not’ stuff
Printed wedding invitations – What? Can’t do without printed invitations, surely? A beautifully crafted email with an easy click link to reply costs almost nothing and saves time. One disadvantage is for older guests who may not be able to access emails easily, but that could, I’m sure, be overcome with a personal note from the couple. I personally love a beautiful wedding invitation popping through my door but we have to move with times. Don’t we?
Beautiful bespoke wedding cake – A well established tradition that can be instead of dessert….. especially those gorgeous fruity naked cakes…. I can’t help feeling that this is one of those ‘expected’ things.
Folk prefer different flavours, and I’ve seen cake stands that are all macaroons, or cup cakes rather than cake slices. Would you save by getting something like a simple ready-made wedding cake that is then decorated with flowers? (Not as naff as it sounds!) Possibly. Worth doing a bit of research and then making a decision about what you want!
(Macarons by www.maisondesmacarons.com, photo by www.emmadbphotography.com)
Bear in mind, a bespoke wedding cake can be costly – but many of the cake makers I know are artists as well as awesome bakers. Sugar flowers are amazing and can be treasured long after the delicious cake has been devoured! Real or silk flowers can also be used.
Wedding videographer – Essential, right? Erm… maybe not. The jury is out on the videographer. Your photographer is there to capture the day. But here’s a different point of view: ‘Video is definitely worth it. Ours got emotion that the photos didn’t. I love our video and cried watching it. Honestly the day goes so fast so lovely to relive it’ Content creators are also gaining in popularity. They wander about, capturing those unstaged moments that can be both hilarious and touching. Have a look at www.yourreelwedding.com
And what about getting your friends and family to send you their photos? Smartphone cameras are brilliant, and they will get those great moments that perhaps your photographer might miss (they can’t be everywhere after all!)
Wedding reception décor – Floral arches and flower walls, hundreds of balloons, beautiful drapes and garlands – all stunning and add that WOW factor to your reception. Are they essential? No. Lavish decorations are wonderful if you can afford them. And (controversial POV coming) I think they’ve become just a little hackneyed. What about something different – like quaint vintage teapot arrangements on the tables? Or how about bringing the outside in with living trees and plants? They can be easily placed to stunning effect, and gifted to special guests to take home. Something simple can be as beautiful as extravagant arrangements.
All the other stuff…. This from a bride: ‘We didn’t have favours, dance floors, love letters, back drops, massive centre pieces, candy carts etc…it saved us a fortune and nobody missed any of it.’
The final word ….
Planning your wedding is about the experience you want to have together. So many couples get stressed out about meeting the demands and expectations of other people. Sometimes to the point that they wish they could simply elope or forget about it all!
So, keep focussed on the whole point of it – getting married to the love of your life, and having a day together that will be uniquely yours and shared with your nearest and dearest. You really don’t need stuff to achieve that. Prioritise what is really important to you both and let the rest go!
By the way.
If you’re considering silk flowers for your wedding, why not book a consultation? Or a discovery call if you’re not quite ready for a full consultation. Click HERE for more information
Recent Comments